Lexical Summary Chelam: Helam Original Word: חֵילָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Helam Or Cheleam {khay-lawm'}; from chayil; fortress; Chelam, a place East of Palestine -- Helam. see HEBREW chayil NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chul Definition a place E. of the Jordan NASB Translation Helam (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֵילָם proper name, of a location east of Jordan 2 Samuel 10:16 (Th their army, but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7 EwGeschichte. iii. 211 Anm. 1 = H iii. 155 n. 2 We Dr) = חֵלָ֑א֯מָה 2 Samuel 10:17 (ᵐ5 Αιλαμ); + חילם Ezekiel 47:16 (ᵐ5 Ηλιαμ) Co; according to this it lay on the border between Damascus and Hamath. Topical Lexicon Location and Geography Helam was a strategic Aramean site east of the Jordan River, probably lying on one of the principal routes connecting the northern Syro-Mesopotamian kingdoms with Ammon and Edom. Its position made it a natural rallying point for troops moving westward toward the Jordan crossings. While its exact site is debated, the context of 2 Samuel 10 shows that David had to “cross the Jordan” (2 Samuel 10:17) to engage the enemy there, placing the location in Transjordan, north of the Jabbok and within reach of the Euphrates corridor. Role in Davidic Military Campaigns Helam enters biblical history when Hadadezer of Zobah, having suffered a prior defeat (2 Samuel 8:3–8), assembles an international coalition to break Israel’s growing influence. “Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans from beyond the Euphrates… and they came to Helam” (2 Samuel 10:16). With Shobach commanding, the Aramean host hoped to recover lost prestige and re-establish control over trade arteries. David’s rapid response illustrates seasoned leadership: “David… gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam” (2 Samuel 10:17). The ensuing battle ended in a decisive Israelite victory, crippling Aramean power and forcing vassal treaties (2 Samuel 10:19). The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 19 omits the place-name but preserves the same sequence of events, confirming the historicity of the campaign and highlighting Helam as its battlefield setting. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over the Nations – The rout at Helam displays the Lord’s rule beyond Israel’s borders. Forces “from beyond the Euphrates” could not overturn the covenant promise that “the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:6). Prophetic Echoes Helam foreshadows the eschatological battles portrayed in passages such as Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19, where hostile coalitions gather yet are overcome by the King appointed by God. The earthly king David prefigures the heavenly King Jesus Christ, whose victory is ultimate and universal. Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Readiness and Initiative – David did not wait defensively; he advanced in faith once the threat was confirmed. Spiritual leaders likewise act decisively under God’s direction (Ephesians 6:13). Summary Helam, though mentioned only twice, occupies a pivotal place in the narrative of David’s rise. It was the arena where international opposition met God’s anointed king and was decisively turned back. The episode reinforces the scriptural pattern of divine faithfulness, anticipates the universal reign of Christ, and supplies enduring principles for God’s people in every age. Forms and Transliterations חֵילָ֑ם חֵלָ֑אמָה חילם חלאמה cheiLam cheLamah ḥê·lā·māh ḥê·lām ḥêlām ḥêlāmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 10:16 HEB: הַנָּהָ֔ר וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ חֵילָ֑ם וְשׁוֹבַ֛ךְ שַׂר־ NAS: and they came to Helam; and Shobach KJV: and they came to Helam; and Shobach INT: the River came to Helam and Shobach the commander 2 Samuel 10:17 2 Occurrences |
    |